Sergio Vega will once again handle bass duties, as Chi Cheng remains in a coma after a 2008 car accident. There is reason for optimism, as there is recent news that Cheng has shown improvement and is responding to commands.

The as-yet-untitled album is scheduled to be released in September or October. Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Evanescence) is reportedly set to produce. In a recent interview, vocalist Chino Moreno described the new material as follows: “I know everybody says this, but I believe this is the best record we’ve made. I’m very enthusiastic, because it sounds futuristic in comparison to our last one, so it feels like a step forward.”

Moreno recently returned from South America, where his other band Crosses played a couple of festivals in Chile and Argentina. Crosses released their second EP earlier this year. Moreno is also a newlywed, having tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Risa Mora in March.